Donald Trump set the example. Despite being embroiled in various scandals and legal troubles, he portrayed himself as a victim of the system and won the presidency
Are Marine Le Pen and Nigel Farage victims? Is the political system persecuting them through the justice system? That is what both far-right politicians claim following their respective troubles, as the former was convicted of embezzling European funds. Meanwhile, the second is under investigation by the British Parliament’s Ethics Commissioner for illegal financing—and, in fact, on suspicion of money laundering…
The Politics of Victimization
As Bloomberg columnist Lionel Laurent points out, Le Pen and Farage have managed to give their far-right parties an unprecedented lead in the polls. And they are attempting to politicize their legal prosecutions in order to save their careers. These actions bring to the surface the politics of victimization, a tactic that Donald Trump has also cultivated.
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Marine Le Pen, in announcing her candidacy for the French presidency, claimed she is innocent—despite her conviction on appeal. She claimed that her hands are “clean” and that she will appeal to the Court of Cassation to prove her innocence.
And Farage called for a runoff election in his district, “because the citizens know” that he has done nothing wrong. And he believes they will re-elect him.
Parallel Paths
And while the timing may be a mere coincidence, the political element is not.
These two far-right parties have followed parallel paths and identical strategies.
Both Le Pen’s National Rally and Farage’s Reform UK have exploited citizens’ fears to win votes. The pandemic, wars, and immigration have provided fertile ground for them to do so, as public trust in institutions erodes.
For the columnist, these tactics are straight out of the populist playbook. Le Pen described France as a “sleeping giant,” which she and Bardella will awaken. She promises stable governance and the abolition of the “establishment’s” rules. And she treats her conviction for corruption as a badge of honor.
Farage, for his part, claims he is under attack by a “mob.”
Trump, Sarkozy, Le Pen, Farage
Laurent points to similar behaviors from other politicians. Trump’s “Stop the Steal.” Nicolas Sarkozy’s “Diary of a Prisoner.” Because the politics of baseless accusations is in full swing and takes precedence over parties and politics.
According to Catherine Fiske, author of *Populocracy: The Tyranny of Authenticity and the Rise of Populism*, Le Pen and Farage have made a bet. They believe that “the game of democracy can be used as a weapon in their favor, and that institutions and the rule of law can be circumvented.”
And while they are accused of different offenses, they share the same anxiety, says Laurent. They want to avoid being marginalized by the authorities—or by far-right opponents. What they will achieve in the long run is another matter.
Farage will run alone in the runoff election. His opponents refuse to give him the satisfaction of winning the “I’m a victim of the elite” game.
Le Pen, having escaped the electronic ankle monitor for now due to her appeal, will run for president for the fourth time in 2027. And while she was ready—or so she said—to hand the reins over to Jordan Bardella, she didn’t do it.
Could Le Pen ultimately be a liability?
In this climate, centrist presidential candidates believed that Jordan Bardella would be a more formidable opponent in the presidential election. Now they hope that Le Pen’s candidacy will make it harder for the far right to win votes. But also that it will win the support of financial figures and business leaders. Certainly not the votes of moderate right-wingers.
Former Prime Minister and presidential candidate Édouard Philippe can now appeal to right-wing voters from a different angle. He might even capitalize on the support of soccer player Kylian Mbappé, given his war of words with nationalist politicians from France all the way to Paraguay.
Of course, the presidential field is fragmented and wide open. There is also Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who is neck-and-neck with Édouard Philippe in the polls. No one can rule out a runoff between Le Pen and Mélenchon. After all, although most French people do not believe that the judicial system’s treatment of Le Pen was rigged or biased, her standing in the polls appears unaffected.
Elections and Online Trolls
Laurent points out that Le Pen and Farage are under pressure and are taking high-stakes risks. In both cases, the courts will decide their fate. And it is up to the citizens to decide with a clear head what they will choose.
However, the politics of victimization is something bigger. And it’s here to stay. Political polarization and the fragmentation of the media, driven by the online trolls of tech giants (see Elon Musk), are fueling suspicions that the democratic system isn’t working. This impression will last longer than the announcement of a court ruling.
Source: in.gr
